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“TTIP must comply with European values and standards or it will fail”, say S&D Euro MPs

Date

03 May 2016

Sections

Euro & Finance

Global Europe

Trade & Society

Following the release of confidential documents on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations, S&D Euro MPs reiterate their call in favour of a progressive treaty which respects EU values as well as high standards.

S&D Euro MP and spokesperson on trade policy, David Martin stated:

"These leaked documents confirm what we have known for a long time: that the US will strongly champion their interests in the TTIP negotiations.

"The S&D Group demands that the EU be equally tough in upholding our own values, including safeguarding the EU's precautionary principle which guarantees high levels of protection for our citizens. We will not accept a TTIP that includes any lowering of standards.

"However, it must be made clear that these documents refer to both sides' negotiating positions. Nothing in this leak indicates that the EU has complied with any of the US demands. At this stage, the papers show a great deal of posturing and tactics but little concrete information about what an eventual TTIP will look like.

"The S&D's requirements for a progressive TTIP have been clearly spelled out on numerous occasions. We call for a deal that can contribute to creating jobs and growth in Europe whilst protecting our values and setting high standards for workers' rights and environmental protection."

S&D Euro MP and chair of the international trade committee Bernd Lange added:

"The European Parliament's position for a TTIP agreement is clearly spelled out in its resolution of 8th of July 2015. Only an agreement that respects the demands of the elected representatives of the European people will have a chance of being approved by this house. The European Parliament will not accept any foul compromises which may lead to the lowering of European standards - end of discussion.

"We will not accept a bad deal only because we could have one quickly, on the contrary. We have made it sufficiently clear to the European Commission and their US counterparts that we value content over speed."